This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 12th, 2024.

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin discusses the mention of “Inciting Joy” by Ross Gay in a recent city council meeting. We turn to Dave Askins for more. More in today’s feature report.

That’s Timber Tucker from the Bloomington Pickleball Club. It’s the hot new thing in recreational sports, but all of our local courts are outdoors. The club is lobbying the city to install permanent indoor pickleball courts for year-round play. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Bloomington City Council

On February 7th at the Bloomington City Council Meeting, Council Member Shruti Rhana shared why she ran for the position and why she is stepping down.

Next, Capital Improvement Board Member Doug Bruce gave an update on the Convention Center Expansion Project.

Bruce shared information on the convention center’s current usage, and why its expansion is necessary.

Bruce continued, outlining the Capital Improvement Board’s task force’s work moving forward.

Council Member Matt Flaherty asked if the board had any idea yet if they would need more funding than the Food and Beverage Tax revenue, or if that would be sufficient. Bruce responded that at this time they think the revenue from the Food and Beverage tax will be sustainable.

Council Member Kate Rosenbarger asked where the convention center gets most of its visitors from. Bruce responded the majority are from Indiana..

Rosenbarger followed up and asked if the expansion aims to reach people from out of the state.

Bruce said that they haven’t discussed that yet, but that if the space is larger it could open the doors for more national groups.

Rosenbarger suggested that if the number of out of town guests does increase, that the Capital Improvement Board consider purchasing a shuttle to drive groups of people from the airport.

Council Member Isak Asare asked if the board had discussed how the convention center is used when there are no ongoing conventions.

Council Member Dave Rollo also asked about the other uses of the center, and noted that when it was created it was intended to also be used as a civic center. Bruce responded that the board has not discussed that yet.

The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on February 14th.

Monroe County Commissioners

At the February 7th meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners, the commissioners rejected a motion for the rezoning of Worm’s Way property from Agriculture/Rural Reserve to Pre-Existing Business. The Property Owner, Martin Heydt, requested the property be rezoned to allow future businesses to buy and use the land.

In response to Heydt’s comments, many members of Windsor Private, a neighborhood adjacent to the Worm’s Way property expressed their disapproval of rezoning.

Local Real Estate Agent Julie Booze, a resident of Windsor Private, has shown the property twice for Heydt. Both times, the sale failed due to Heydt advertising the property improperly.

Another Windsor Private homeowner, Mike Hofstatler, shared concerns about the impact of rezoning on property values in the neighborhood.

Commissioner Julie Thomas responded saying that the residents of Windsor Private bought their properties with a neighboring garden supply store, and that rezoning that land to allow industrial business would impede on the residents.

All three commissioners voted ‘no’ on the motion to rezone Worm’s Way property after hearing over an hour of debate, nearly half of which was public comment in opposition to the rezoning.  The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on February 14th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B Square Bulletin discusses the mention of “Inciting Joy” by Ross Gay in a recent city council meeting. We turn to Dave Askins for more.

Credits: